This season will mark the new era of Northland Baseball as new head coach Andy Ham takes over the program after back to back third place finishes in the conference. Andy Ham came to the program after the resignation of Eric Grice from Siena Heights in Adrian, Mich, where he spent three years as an assistant coach. The Husson University alum hopes for big things this season. "We are going to do the fundamental things well because that is what wins games. We have a solid team this season with a good mix of both experience and youth, and will be in a position to do good things."
This years pitching staff has some depth with returners and newcomers. Sophomore Alex Tsomaya (Glendive, Mont.) looks to step-up as the teams ace and return to form after a disappointing Freshman campaign. Juniors Bryce Szymanski (Pequot Lakes, Minn., 4-4 6.75 ERA) and Matt Tanneberg (Kennewick, Wash.) look to both add depth and experience to the staff. Freshman BJ Leach (Kirkland, Wash.) and Will Mueller (Racine, Wis.) will be starters, while Senior John Strausser (Shamokin, Pa.) and Freshman Dan Salewski (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) will pitch in relief.
Catching duties will be handled by a trio of newcomers this season. Leach and Salewski will be joined by Josh Spiegel (Wausau, Wis.) as the backstops. The catchers will probably be rotated in and out to keep everyone's legs fresh, as well as to allow them to fill in other positions as needed.
In the infield, three returners look to lock down the diamond. Senior Chris Steiner (Auburn, Wash., .275/18 RBI/5 SB) will man shortstop this season. Tanneberg, the All Conference first baseman (.350/13 RBI/ 8 2B/5 SB), will split time between first and third base this season. Redshirt Sophomore Jeremy Snow (Tucson, Ariz.) will take over at second after missing last season due to shoulder surgery. A handful of players will be competing for playing time at the remaining infield spot, including Mueller, Leach, Spiegel and Sophomore Zach Schultz (Brookfield, Wis.).
The outfield will feature Szymanski (.319/14 RBI/7 2B/7 HR/4 SB) playing his familiar spot in center, while Sophomore Chad Moore (Airdrie, AB, .154/2 RBI/1 SB) will be playing right. Freshman Craig Turner (Cherry Valley, ON), Aaron Frater (Canyon Lake, Texas), Daniel McIntosh (Calgary, AB), Kyle Finch (Peterborough, ON) and Bryan Kim (Burnaby, BC) will all be competing for the third outfield spot. Salewski will see time in the outfield as well.